Vulnerable, guilty or on their own?

In light of the multiple and sometimes contradictory demands within the current discourse on child welfare, this paper explores institutional approaches within Finnish child welfare to conceptualizing individuals with problematic substance use. The data consist of observations of everyday life and institutional client-meetings in three so-called professional foster homes in the Helsinki area. Three different interpretative repertoires dealing with problems related to substance use among children and their families were identified in the analysis. In the first approach a strictly regulated policy regarding the use of substances was combined with support. In the second approach, substance use was approached with stronger demands for self-regulation and with less support. The guiding principle seems to have been trust. In the final approach, severe and prolonged behavioral problems were dealt with. Punitive responses were also seen to be present. The main finding was that those with severe problems were met with less support and more demands for self-regulation. As a last resort, repressive approaches were suggested. It therefore seemed like the autonomy offered for those with very little resources created obligations and demands that were hard to meet for the child atone. A possible conclusion is that a more humane perception, which also takes into account possible unfavorable structural factors leading to behavioral problems, could benefit the single child. A more coherent, overarching substance use policy could further help professionals in charge of difficult and threatening situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]